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Early Cholas (Sangam era)
Kingdom
Level 2
c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE
Sangam-age Chola kingdom of Karikala.
- Capital
- Uraiyur / Puhar
- Region
- South
- Duration
- 599 years
- Main period
- Post-Mauryan Powers
Approximate extent.
Rulers
- Karikala Kingc. 90 CE – c. 120 CEBuilt the Kallanai (Grand Anicut) according to tradition.
Selected rulers; gaps in the list are not gaps in the dynasty.
Key events
| Year | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| c. 50 CE | Roman trade at Arikamedu and Muziris | Arikamedu |
📚 Recommended reading on the Early Cholas (Sangam era)
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Contemporaries
Powers that coexisted with the Early Cholas (Sangam era) for a significant part of its history.
Anuradhapura Kingdom ★
Sri Lanka · c. 437 BCE – c. 1017
Mauryan Empire ★
Pan-Indian · c. 321–185 BCE
Satavahana Empire ★
Deccan · c. 200 BCE – c. 225 CE
Kushan Empire ★
Northwest · c. 30 CE – c. 375 CE
Gupta Empire ★
Gangetic Plain · c. 240 CE – c. 550 CE
Pallava Dynasty ★
South · c. 275 CE – c. 897 CE
Kalinga
East · c. 700–261 BCE
Early Pandyas (Sangam era)
South · c. 400 BCE – c. 300 CE
Early Cheras (Sangam era)
South · c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE
Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
Northwest · c. 256–125 BCE
Mahameghavahana (Chedi) of Kalinga
East · c. 200 BCE – c. 50 CE
Indo-Greek Kingdoms
Northwest · c. 200 BCE – c. 10 CE
Shunga Dynasty
Gangetic Plain · c. 185–73 BCE
Indo-Scythian (Saka) Kingdoms
Northwest · c. 110 BCE – c. 80 CE
Kanva Dynasty
East · c. 73–28 BCE
Indo-Parthian Kingdom
Northwest · c. 19 CE – c. 100 CE
Western Kshatrapas
West · c. 35 CE – c. 415 CE
Ikshvakus of Vijayapuri
Deccan · c. 225 CE – c. 340 CE
Kalabhra Interregnum
South · c. 250 CE – c. 600 CE
Vakataka Dynasty
Deccan · c. 250 CE – c. 500 CE